How Obtained Codes

These codes describe the circumstances surrounding the encounter of a bird or band. As requirements change, new codes are added or existing codes are discontinued or modified. Since data with the old codes are still in the files, analysts should be aware of the dates they were changed and their definitions.

Code

Present Definition

Status

00

Found dead.

current

01

Shot.

current

02

* Caught or found dead due to: starvation

current

03

* Caught due to: injury

current

04

* Caught by or due to: traps or snares other than devices used to catch birds for banding.

current

05

Code discontinued. See code 31

discontinued

06

* Caught by or due to: rodent

discontinued

07

* Caught by or due to: miscellaneous birds

discontinued

08

* Caught by or due to: shrike

discontinued

09

Caught by or due to: hawks, owls, or other raptors.

discontinued

10

Banding Mortality: due to trap, holding device, or handling.

current

11

* Caught by or due to: dog

discontinued

12

* Caught by or due to: cat

current

13

* Caught due to striking: stationary object other than wires or towers.

current

14

* Caught due to striking or being struck by: motor vehicle.

current

15

* Caught or found dead due to: weather conditions.

current

16

Collected as Scientific Specimen or captured for a Scientific Study.

current

17

Drowned.

current

18

* Caught or found dead due to disease: botulism

discontinued

19

Caught by or due to: reptile

discontinued

20

Caught due to disease.

discontinued

21

Bird caught or found dead in building or enclosure.

current

22

Code discontinued

discontinued

23

* Caught or found dead due to: oil or tar

current

24

* Caught or killed due to: fall from nest.

current

25

Caught or killed due to: Poisoning

discontinued

26

Caught by or due to: entanglement in fishing gear

current

27

* Caught by or found dead due to striking or being struck by: moving train.

** Previously banded bird trapped and released during banding operations

current

70

Purchased, e-Bay, traded, etc.

current

87

Code discontinued.

discontinued

88

Code discontinued.

discontinued

89

Previously banded bird trapped and released during banding operations in different 10-minute block than where originally banded.

discontinued

91

Illegally taken

current

96

Code discontinued.

discontinued

97

Miscellaneous. Method of recovery not covered by other codes.

current

98

Band or band number only obtained. No further information available.

current

99

Previously banded bird trapped and released during banding operations in same 10-minute block where originally banded.

discontinued

* On September 1, 1965, the word "killed," where found in a definition of a How Obtained code, was replaced where possible by the word "Caught" "Caught by," or "Caught by or due to". The Present Condition codes describe whether the bird is dead or alive, etc. and should be considered in conjunction with the How Obtained codes.

** Code 66 was created to replace how obtained codes 89 and 99. Its definition is a truncation of 89 and 99, removing the designation of whether or not the bird was encountered after banding in the same 10-minute block.